FOR someone with a resume as decorated as Capital1 super rookie Bella Belen, she has the collegiate career that very few would dare dream of.
From setting new heights to redefining NU’s volleyball culture, Belen became more than a cornerstone–she was the standard.
With three UAAP championships, a rookie-MVP campaign, and a jersey immediately retired at NU, there wasn’t much left for the 23-year-old outside hitter to earn.
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Still, there is one thing that haunts Belen even as she opens up a new chapter with the Solar Spikers.
“Siguro na hindi ako nag-last playing year sa NU. Yun yung multo ko,” Belen told Spin.ph
While Belen already graduated last May, she still had one more season of college eligibility, which the likes of UST’s Detdet Pepito, Jonna Perdido, and UP’s Niña Ytang and Joan Monares opted into.
And though Belen looks back fondly on her playing days for the Lady Bulldogs, the final season that never came still lingers.
“Parang hindi naman siya negative. I mean, maganda rin yung pinatunguhan ko. Pero syempre, andun pa rin yung what if ko na what if naglaro ako for NU for the last time. So ayun.”
How close was she to playing one more season?
Emerging as the number one pick in the 2025 PVL draft should signify that Belen has already made up her mind, but as she revealed, deciding on going pro or staying for one last ride wasn’t as easy as you think.
“50-50 lang. Kasi grabe yung pagmamahal ko sa NU. Like, gusto ko talaga maglaro sa NU pa.”
Ultimately, Belen made the jump as she knows that the team is in good hands even with her departure alongside running mate Aly Solomon.
“Siguro yung isa rin na nagpa-push sa akin na to go pro, syempre may mga bata. And I think kayang-kaya na naman nila yung UAAP ngayon. I mean, kaya nilang lumaban," she said.
“So yun, sabi ko I need to trust lang and believe din sa mga players na may iwan. So ayun, support-support na lang.”
While she felt like she could have done more for NU, Belen also believed that the next era after her will still be just as competitive and relevant.
And when the Lady Bulldogs finally return on the taraflex, her ghost will too.
Not out of regret, but remembrance.
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